So many people get bored in Church. Why? Well, here’s one hypothesis: Because we never invite anyone to Church! Isn’t that true? We think the problem is with the preacher, with the people, with the uncomfortable pew we’re sitting on, but noooooooo… “the problem couldn’t be with us.” But it is. We’ve become a fossil, and the Church has become our “museum”. The only person we’re concerned about is ourselves. [Ouch]. But if we’d take a pro-active stance to evangelize and hand out invites for our Church when we’re at the grocery store, gas station then maybe “Church” wouldn’t be so “boring”.

How about inviting that co-worker to Church? I know, I know… you asked them before, right? But that was a year ago! No doubt the Holy Spirit has been working in their life, so it’s time to ask them again. Go for it, and see if it doesn’t make “Church” more exciting. Because when your friend finally comes, and find the Lord, you will be ecstatic!

Have you got some New Years’ goals, but aren’t quite sure how to implement them? Join the club. I’ve got a great podcast episode for you:: “How to Get Ready for a New Year“. It’s in the iTunes Store, and… it’s FREE!!

Tonite it seemed like I heard the Holy Spirit say, “If you would see yourself according to the Word of God, you would never be the same.” I thought how that so often I merely see myself according to the flesh. I mean really, we look at ourselves everyday in the mirror several times a day. There’s no escaping… you! But in the Word of God there is a completely different picture that is told of the believer. They’re forgiven, new, empowered, endowed with gifts, etc. We’re really different people according to the Word of God, and yet we live in a state of ignorance most of the time. One of my missionary heroes,David Hogan said in one of his messages,

“Do you realize who I am? I am a conduit of power to the people God sent me to!”

How do you see yourself? Has it helped you, or hindered you? It’s time for you to rise above the funk, and starting taking control of your emotions, and begin living the life that God gave you!

♨
Robb GorringeI Killed the Dove
Going forward is a necessity. Old paths though have something, that if we’re not careful our forward inertia will be a sliding backwards into mindless regression. Even the Bible talks about this. You might be thinking, “Yeah, didn’t Jesus say, “Remember Lot’s wife.”?” Actually yes, He did. But why? Because there is an innate danger in lusting for that which is evil – that which we used to live-in and feast on. But Jeremiah flips the script a bit when he said,

“Thus saith the Lord, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said we will not walk therein.” [Jer. 6:16 KJV].

Some people are so busy about making New Year’s Resolutions that they have forgotten the old paths of the ancients. They’re busy thinking about their new figure, new careers, the New Age, New Wave, and… of course, new shoes, (gotta have ’em)

One ancient, so-to-speak, in particular that I’m thinking about is someone from the 80’s Southern California Punk Rock scene. Lyrical genius, Jonithin Christ of Code of Honor said in his song, “I Killed the Dove”…

There is a hunger on this planet, reflections of past
The dreams you thought were real last night were nights of the last
The hunger’s inside of you, distorting your view
Nothin’ here but wasteland all wrapped up inside of you
I did it for Money
I did it for Love
I did it for Myself
I killed the Dove
Why can’t we see where our lives are going and change?

If you listen to the song, [found on Savage Jaw Records], singing that last line, Jonithin belts out an eery cry… Why can’t we see where our lives are going and change? During this first part of the year I have been asking myself this same exact question. Because if we really could see where our lives are going most of us would change. There would be a reason to stop doing what we’re doing, and start doing what we should be doing. But the haunting questions still lingers, What if we don’t see where our lives are going and change? We “Kill the Dove”.

The the gospels are clear, that the Dove represents the Holy Spirit. I hope I never kill the Dove. I do know that I’m sure I have clipped His wings on numerous occasions. The Dove is so innocent. The Dove represents perfect peace. And we forfeit that peace when we fail to see ahead, and when we fail to go back to the old paths of doing what is right. Most of the time we go back to old sins. The wheel of old habits ends up moving forward to crush us.

To conclude, don’t kill the dove. Don’t let that be written on your epitaph. The Dove comes to cleanse you and set you free through the power of the One He landed-on so many years ago beside the Jordan River. Open your eyes, and see the path your on. Do it for yourself. Do it for the Dove.